Gareth Ritter, 44, of Bryngwyn, Monmouthshire, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting the sexual assault of a teenage girl. Ritter, who appeared in the Channel 4 documentary series Educating Cardiff, had initially denied the offence but changed his plea to guilty in October after giving evidence at his trial.
He also previously admitted two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.
Sentencing and Offence Details
On Wednesday, Judge Dyfed Llion Thomas sentenced Ritter to 33 months' imprisonment, suspended for 30 months.
The court heard that Ritter offered to give the victim a lift home following an event in Cardiff, before telling her he needed to make a short stop at a flat in Cardiff Bay. The judge described how Ritter made comments about the victim's appearance and dress that made her feel awkward and uncomfortable, and then placed his hand on her lower back uninvited before moving it to her backside.
The victim moved away into the living room, where Ritter asked if she wanted to see the bedroom. He then moved towards her, so her back was against the wall, before kissing her. The judge said the victim made it clear she did not want any form of sexual contact that night.
Victim's Account and Aftermath
The victim pushed Ritter away and told him she was a good girl and did not do this sort of thing because she went to a Christian school. Ritter did not apologise, but was described as "giggling" at what had happened. While driving her home, he instructed her not to tell anyone about the incident.
The victim reported the assault to police when they contacted her about indecent images of her found in Ritter's possession.
Ritter was described in court as well-known in his local community and respected in his role as a brass band conductor.
Judge's Remarks
The judge said: "[The victim] told the court during the trial in evidence what many, many people who are victims of sexual assault say - who is going to believe me? Well, she is believed, Mr Ritter, and everyone knows that what she told the court was true."
